Meghana received her bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering from Manipal Institute of Technology, India and master’s in Stem cell technology and regenerative medicine from the University of Nottingham, UK. Her research interests are in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine with a focus on fabrication of artificial organs/microenvironment. 

A current senior undergraduate student majoring in both Mechanical Engineering and Bioengineering. Presently, Lea I️s employed at U of M Dearborn where she contributes as a Lab Assistant and also engages in academic pursuits as an Undergraduate Research Assistant. She plans on pursuing her Master's degree in Bioengineering in the Fall of 2024 upon graduating with her Bachelor’s degree, staying with the University of Michigan Dearborn. 

Perla is a first-year Bioengineering master's student with a Bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences. She aspires to pursue a Ph.D. in Cellular and Molecular Bioengineering. Her fascination with the complexities of cellular processes and the vastness of outer space demonstrates her appreciation for both micro and macro aspects of scientific inquiry. This is why, in her free time, she enjoys building and launching rockets. 

Alejandro Hinojosa is a bioengineering Master's student with interests in cell-matrix interactions and regenerative engineering.

His current project involves investigating sex-based differences in the responses of pulmonary fibroblasts undergoing multiaxial tension through a custom-built bioreactor. When he's not fighting with the project 3D printer, he can be found reading whatever he can get his hands on or getting sucked into a newfound interest. He is part of the Biomedical engineering, society (BMES), and part of Tau Beta Pi Michigan Iota. After graduation, he intends to continue his research efforts by pursuing a PhD in Biomedical Engineering.

Nicole is a senior majoring in bioengineering at the University of Michigan - Dearborn. With great interest in biomaterials and tissue engineering, Nicole plans on pursuing a PhD in Materials Science and Engineering. She is also Vice President of the Michigan Iota chapter of Tau Beta Pi and an active member of the Society of Women Engineers. Outside of UM-Dearborn, Nicole enjoys reading, playing golf and tennis, and spending time with her dogs. 

Rosa Carapia is a senior Mechanical Engineering and Bioengineering undergraduate student. She is also part of the Society of Women in Engineering (SWE). Her previous work experience is in test engineering with lithium-ion batteries. Her current work in the laboratory has to do with imaging 2D and 3D cell culture to explore possible sex-based differences in cellular responses of pulmonary fibroblasts. After graduation, she intends to go into industry. Although she’s not sure exactly what field she wants to go into, she’s passionate about learning and looks forward to new opportunities to do so.

Sydney White is a senior dual major studying Bioengineering and Mechanical engineering at the University of Michigan - Dearborn.

Her previous work experience is primarily industry with a focus in Quality Engineering from 2023-current. Sydney’s interest in the laboratory will be focused on optimizing decellularization protocol to obtain minimal residual DNA in porcine lung tissue and characterizing dECM scaffold in males versus females lung tissue to study the difference in ECM protein.

Sydney is a member of the Biomedical Engineering Society (BMES), and the Women’s Cross country team and U of M Dearborn.

After graduation she intends to join the work force and hopes to work for a bioengineering company designing and implementing prosthetics.

Caymen is a new faculty at the University of Michigan Dearborn in the Mechanical Engineering Department - Bioengineering program. She received her undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering from Oakland University, master's and PhD in biomedical engineering from the University of Michigan, and she completed her doctoral work at The Ohio State University. She enjoys most forms of exercise, trying new foods, tea, creating art, anything colorful, and learning new things. 

Dawna is a senior at the University of Michigan - Dearborn, pursuing a dual degree in Bioengineering and Mechanical Engineering. She is currently working under Dr. Novak in an independent research study with the Novak Lab. Upon graduation, she is excited to pursue new opportunities at Roche Diagnostics, and apply the knowledge that she has gained to the world around her. 

Ariana is a senior at UM-Dearborn pursuing a dual degree in bioengineering and mechanical engineering. She currently works as an undergraduate research assistant in Dr. Novak's lab and has previously completed two internships in the automotive industry. Ariana is a member of the Society of Women Engineers and the Biomedical Engineering Society on campus, and also studied at the University of Applied Sciences in Ulm, Germany during the fall 2022 semester.